Northern groups blast Buhari over prolonged seige on Dasuki’s home

Northern groups, the youth wing of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and a political pressure group of women in Sokoto State under the aegis of association of Sokoto State Women in Politics (SSAWP), have expressed concern over the continued occupation of the Abuja home of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.): Former NSA

Addressing newsmen in Kaduna, weekend, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the national president of the youth wing of ACF, said the act amounts to ‘impunity’ on the part of the Federal Government.

Shettima threatened to mobilise Nigerians against what he described as the President Muhammadu Buhari’s dictatorial tendency, if not quickly checked.

The ACF youth leader called on the Federal Government to respect the ruling of a Federal High Court on the matter and immediately ask the operatives of the DSS to vacate the former NSA’s home.

He said, “We are saddened by the handling of the case of the former NSA because so many gaps can be seen in all the attempts to justify why such a high profile Nigerian should be treated the way he has been treated by this country. This is the first time an intelligence service official would be so treated.

“Indeed, a recent court order granted the man the permit to go for medical attention, only for the DSS to overrule it.

“There is no convincing justification why the DSS should ignore an order granted by a court of competent jurisdiction.

“On no account should the former NSA’s right as protected by a court in the land be trampled upon. This is taking us back to the dark days of military dictatorship and it is unfortunate.

“It is sad that the DSS offered explanation to its actions against Dasuki only when public outcry became louder.

“This Gestapo style is unacceptable under a democratic atmosphere. We view the action of the DSS with shock and surprise, considering the fact that rule of law is a pillar of any meaningful change. It will be suicidal to allow Nigeria to drift into a one-party state.

“Much as President Buhari in particular and the administration in general, would want to sanction anyone for any wrongdoing, it should be seen to doing so in a civilised manner, free of any tendency towards partisanship.

“Even if it is a coincidence, the continuous arrest of people from one and the same political party is a bad coincidence that creates a wrong impression,” he said.

Similarly, the SSAWP, has vowed to take the Federal Government and the DSS, to court in order to compel them to allow for the freedom of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd).

Hajiya Kulu Abdullahi Rabah, the national coordinator of the association stated this in Sokoto, while addressing women group in her office.

Hajiya Kulu said “Dasuki was legally allowed to travel by a competent court of law that granted him leave to travel abroad for medical treatment. Therefore, it is wrong for the operatives of DSS to disrupt his peace and confine him into house arrest without following same due process and rule of law.

“This action of the DSS has shown that President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against injustice is selective and DSS are becoming tool of intimidation against those who are believed to be in opposition or perceived enemies of the current government without respect of law of the land,” she said.

While condemning the DSS action on the encroachment of Dasuki’s fundamental rights, she promised to lead other women in the state to demand justice against such action.

“For every and any mistake made by the DSS, President Buhari should be held responsible and must account for this before the Almighty Allah, as he promised to protect every citizen of this country without political affiliation, affection or ill-will,” she said.